Concerning the moon Phobos

In a world first, China's Chang'e 6 mission has returned to Earth carrying samples of rock and dirt from the lunar surface that has not been extensively studied. (Image: AP)

Historic Achievement: Chang'e-6 Returns with First Lunar Far Side Samples

Days after its capsule touched down in the Inner Mongolian desert, China celebrated a monumental achievement in space exploration: the successful return of the first-ever samples from the lunar far side. The Chang'e-6 mission, after a 53-day journey, delivered these invaluable rocks and soil to Earth, marking a significant milestone in our understanding of the Moon.

Concerning the moon Phobos

China's Chang'e-6 spacecraft safely returns to Earth with the first samples from the lunar far side.

Historical achievement demonstrates technological maturity and improves international

Advances in critical technologies, including ascent from the lunar far side, fast intelligent sampling on the lunar far side, and retrograde lunar orbit design and control, have been made possible by the Chang'e-6 mission's successful completion. Future deep space exploration missions will benefit greatly from these technological advances, according to Kang Guohua, an aerospace engineering professor at Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, who made this statement to the Global Times on Tuesday.

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The mission has a significant impact on the aerospace industry worldwide in addition to setting a new milestone for China's lunar exploration program. Kang stated that China has shown its leadership and influence in space exploration with the Chang'e-6 mission. He also pointed out that because lunar dirt from the moon's far side is so unique, it is extremely valuable for scientific study and deep space travel.

Since no human probe has directly landed on and sampled from the far side, the soil from this area offers a distinct perspective. The South Pole-Aitken Basin is the oldest and deepest large impact basin on the moon, and samples from here can help scientists study the moon's origin and evolution more deeply, potentially providing critical clues about the formation and evolution of the solar system, he said.

On June 25, 2024, the Chang'e-6 returning capsule—which is carrying samples that were taken from the moon's far side—lands in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of North China under the Siziwang Banner. Image courtesy of Xinhua

NASA indicated in a statement on November 29 that it had certified to the US Congress that it intended to "permit researchers funded by NASA to apply to the China National Space Administration for access to lunar samples returned to Earth on the Chang'e 5 mission." The Chang'e 5 mission samples are the only thing for which NASA has made this exception known, and "the normal prohibition on bilateral activity with (the) PRC (People's Republic of China) on NASA-funded projects remains in place."

At a routine press briefing on June 7, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the Global Times that China is always open to space cooperation and exchanges with the US. However, Mao stated that there are currently issues with China-US space collaboration, which are brought about by US internal laws like the Wolf Amendment, which prohibit regular communication and exchanges between Chinese and US space agencies.

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The China space hawk, however, persisted in its narrative of starting a new space race with China, asserting that the US is still on track to send astronauts back to the moon before its main adversary, despite China's numerous space accomplishments, which include the landing of a rover on Mars in 2021 and the operation of an occupied space station in low Earth orbit.

NASA plans to launch four humans around the moon late in 2026, marking a significant step toward that goal. This will be the first landing on the moon since the final Apollo mission in 1972.

Nelson was cited as saying that the US and China will need to figure out a way to live together on and around the moon despite their competitiveness.

Journey from the Moon

On June 25, the Chang'e-6 return capsule safely landed in Inner Mongolia, carrying its precious cargo of lunar material. The following day, the capsule was swiftly transported to Beijing, where a ceremony at the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) marked the opening of the container.

Concerning the moon Phobos

China's Chang'e-6 spacecraft safely returns to Earth with the first samples from the lunar far side.

Historical achievement demonstrates technological maturity and improves international

Unveiling Lunar Treasures

At CAST, researchers carefully opened the capsule, unveiling a container holding up to 2 kilograms of samples. These materials, collected from the South Pole-Aitken Basin on the Moon’s far side, are expected to offer unprecedented insights into the Moon's geological history and formation processes.

Significant Lunar Findings

The China National Space Administration (CNSA) announced that the Chang'e-6 mission had successfully collected 1,935.3 grams of lunar samples. This impressive haul exceeded initial expectations and provides scientists with a wealth of material for analysis.

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The South Pole-Aitken Basin, a region known for its complex geological history, holds clues to the Moon’s ancient past and, by extension, to the early history of Earth. Scientists hope to uncover details about the Moon's crust and mantle, as well as the effects of space weathering.

From Space to Science

The collected samples have been transferred to specialized facilities designed for storage, analysis, and distribution to research teams. Chinese scientists are eager to begin their investigations, which promise to deepen our understanding of the Moon's composition and evolution. This research could also shed light on the broader processes that have shaped the Earth-Moon system.

Pioneering Lunar Exploration

This landmark achievement cements China's role as a leader in space exploration, making it the first nation to successfully retrieve samples from the Moon's far side. The Chang'e-6 mission not only advances scientific knowledge but also sets the stage for future lunar missions and the potential for human exploration.

Looking Ahead

The success of the Chang'e-6 mission is a testament to China's growing capabilities in space technology and exploration. As the world watches, the insights gained from these samples will likely inspire new questions and missions aimed at unraveling the mysteries of our closest celestial neighbor.

As Chinese scientists embark on their analysis of the lunar material, the global scientific community eagerly anticipates the discoveries that will emerge from this historic endeavor. The Chang'e-6 mission represents a giant leap in our quest to understand the cosmos, heralding a new era of lunar exploration.